Nurturing residents’ passion for gardening

Over the next few weeks participating Bupa care homes will rollout the initiative – a hands on gardening activity designed to nurture and encourage residents’ green fingers.

Under the guidance of Selling Houses Australia’s landscape gardener, Charlie Albone, residents will learn how to prepare their outdoor spaces for spring to help ensure they get the most out of their seasonal blooms.

The initiative sees each home receiving a gardening 'kit' from Foxtel, which includes a DVD of Mr Albone demonstrating a series of gardening tips and 'how tos', which was filmed on location at Bupa Willoughby. The DVD is accompanied with a pack of essential materials residents can use to get out in their gardens and make the most of the outdoor spaces at their care homes.

Raelene Smethurst, Foxtel head of business sales says: “We’re proud to support Bupa by offering extra entertainment and fun for its care home residents, in addition to providing them with quality programming and content across our Foxtel channels. This initiative is a fantastic way for residents to get out in the fresh air and become actively involved in the care of their gardens and outdoor spaces. It is also a great opportunity for residents to engage both with nature and each other.”

Nicola Clancy, head of marketing for Bupa Aged Care, says many residents love gardening and the outdoors, making the initiative a great way to encourage them to enjoy the health benefits of the open air and light physical exercise.

“Many of our homes have beautiful outdoor spaces. We also find that gardening is a pastime that nurtures friendships and social interaction too,” Ms Clancy says.

This is the latest in a series of care home activities to have taken place as part of the ongoing Foxtel for Business and Bupa alliance. Previous initiatives have included the FOX Classics Film trivia challenge, with a special message from the beloved host of The Golden Years of Hollywood, Bill Collins, and the Greatest Moments in Sport trivia challenge presented by Sky News Sports presenter, James Bracey.